Word
darn
US/ˈdɑɹn/
UK/dˈɑːn/
Definitions
01to repair clothing
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to fix a hole in a piece of clothing, like a sock, by weaving thread across it with a needle.
v. to repair a hole in fabric by weaving yarn or thread across the gap using a needle.
“My grandmother taught me how to darn my old wool socks instead of throwing them away.”
“Before the era of fast fashion, it was common practice for households to darn elbows and heels to extend the life of expensive garments.”
Usage
Transitive; takes a direct object representing the garment or the hole itself.
02to curse politely
B2 · Upper Intermediate Informal
v. a polite way to say 'damn' when you want to express anger or frustration.
v. to use as a mild, euphemistic substitute for the profanity 'damn' to express annoyance.
“I'll be darned if I'm going to let him win this argument.”
“He darned the luck that had led him to miss the final train of the evening.”
Teaching tip
This is a 'minced oath' used to avoid sounding vulgar; it is common in older generations or conservative settings.
Antonyms
03a repaired patch
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Technical
n. the specific place on a piece of clothing that has been fixed by weaving thread.
n. a patch in a garment created by the process of darning.
“You can hardly see the darn on this sweater because the thread matches perfectly.”
“The conservator examined the ancient tapestry, noting several historical darns where the original silk had frayed.”
04annoying or emphatic
B2 · Upper Intermediate Informal
adj. used to show you are annoyed by something, or to emphasize how much you like or dislike it.
adj. a euphemistic adjective used for emphasis or to express mild irritation.
“I can't find my darn keys anywhere in this house.”
“That was a darn good performance for someone who has never been on stage before.”
Synonyms
05very
B2 · Upper Intermediate Informal
adv. used to mean 'very' when you want to emphasize an adjective.
adv. a euphemistic intensifier equivalent to 'damned' or 'very'.
“It is darn cold outside today, so make sure you wear a heavy coat.”
“The new software is darn difficult to navigate without a proper tutorial.”
Real-World Examples
“I could try to darn them but why bother, when I can replace them with a few dollars and a click on a shopping app?” “There are a few curl-specific features that make this dryer so darn great.” Idioms
01. darn tootin'
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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